Smyrna times., 1887-09-14
one else saw, a c0ldness that she alone

After his departure we all began Won
dering when the marriage would take
place had said nothing to Strong about |
it, and he had not mentioned it to me. |
Only once had he said anything that re-
motely referred to it.
''You people call me a rich man" " he |
said, ''and l suppose ] am, but you do not
know how complicated my business is.
1 am liable any night to go home million
or two richer or q wretched pauper. For
Gods sake let speculation alonen
1 thought Of StrOng's words often dur
ing the next year. From time to time we
heard of his success. Everything that he
touched seemed to turn to gold. Even in
New York men spoke of him as the young
Napoleon.
It was an awful crash, and it carried
some of the proudest firms in the great
city down with it.
In our little village we could hardly re-
alize it. Surely Strong had been prudent
enough to save something out Of the
wreck.
Our hope proved to be without founda-
ton Not only had Strong's entire fortune
been swept away, but he would have to
begin the world again owing fully mil
lion dollars.
The brave fellow bore up for Il few days.
His conduct was so manly that there was
some talk of setting him upon his feet
again, and it was predicted that he would
retrieve his losses and make another for
tune.
But the strain was too much. Finally
he staggered to his bed, ard when he arose
from it, long weeks afterwards, his attack
of brain fever had done its worst.
''He is a mental wreck" said Banker
Jones, who had just returned from New
York
''Is there no hOpe?'
"NOne whatever. He will never regain
his senses. He may improve physically,
| but his mind is gone forever"
eve must do something for him."
said.
Something has been DONE" replied
Jones with very moist eyes. 'Varina'-
''What has she dOne?'
''That noble woman, sir, went on to
New York with her uncle. They took
poor Strong and placed him in a private
asylum, where he will receive every care
and attention. You know that Varina
has given up her school and is living with
her uncle, who is going to make her his
heiress. Well, those two are going tC
foot the bills and see to it that Strong is
taken care of as long as he lives"
1t was years afterward when I saw
Strong for the first time since his misfor
tune.
Business had called me to New York
and on the second day after my arrival
visited the asylum, Il short distance from
the city.
At first 7 thought that Strong had com
pletely recovered, he was looking so well
but his talk undeceived me.
"And how is Cottonville?'' he asked
"SlOw old place, too slow, no progress
nothing to keep man of ability there
Why don't you come here? have som
big schemes on foot, and possibly I'll le
you in"
l was glad to see that he recognized me
and l humored his rambling talk for a.
hour.
81 saw Varina before left, :" said
; ''Varina! Oh, little Varina Vincent
Do you know once thought Of marryin
her, but l saw that it wouldn't do. Goo
] girl, but no force of character, you know
Why, they call me the young Napoleon {
G finance. Now, how would such wit
e have suited me? Well, 1 managed it S
4 as not to hurt her feelings. l let the eI
e gagement run along, and at last she o
= fered to release me. accused her Of NJ
having faith in me, and got in a hig
dudgeon and accepted my freedom. Goot
wasn't it?''
1t was too much for me. I rose to G,
4 Strong accompanied ME to the door, an
a chatted about his imaginary speculation
:, "Stay" he cried, rs l was leaving.
7 He handed me little flower from Il
prOfuSiOn that decked his table.
''Give that to Varina, he said.
y took it and rushed off, unable
!. speak.
. OF course 1 pressed that flower, aI
took the utmost care of it until reach,
CottOnville.
II When 1 gave it to Varina, and told h
who sent it, the poor thing cried over
[, until l thought her heart would brea
n Women are so peculiar. Wallace P. Re
in Atlanta Constitution.